Michael Christian Martinez of the Philippines waits for his results after the men’s free skate figure skating final at the Iceberg Skating Palace at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 14, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev

MANILA, Philippines – Michael Christian Martinez may not be bringing home a medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia but the young Filipino did his country proud with his gutsy and emotion-filled performances at the Men’s Free Skating event that have captured the world’s attention.

As the more experienced and top-ranked skaters take to the rink, Martinez’s number is expected to slide further but not after briefly taking the top spot in the first batch of six in the competition aired live on television.

His spirited performance despite a fall in the free program Friday night only endeared him to the crowd and to the media covering the Olympics who, according to a TV report, have lined up to get an interview with the 17-year-old Martinez, who was the Philippines’ lone representative and the first from Southeast Asia.

At the conclusion of the tournament, Martinez finished 19th out of 24 in the medal round with Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu bagging the gold medal, Canada’s Patrick Chan and Kazakhstan’s Dennis Ten going home with the silver and bronze medals, respectively. With a report from Celest Flores, INQUIRER.net

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this should make him the poster boy of phil’s ice skating. hopefully, this sport gains more popularity in the country and the SM malls and chinese businessmen or private organizations should promote it to the public.

lee1222

Given government’s low budget and poor handling (an understatement) of sports funds, I hope SM sponsors 100% of Michael’s training from here on, aimed at an Olympic medal in 2018. After all, there would be no better endorser of SM’s skating rinks!